236 PRUNING. 



feeble is their growth, till at last all vitality ceases ; 

 whereas were they repeatedly cut in, new powers 

 would be imparted to the system, and by calling forth 

 latent principles of life, continue it for an indefinite 

 length of time. The common furze, ( Ulex Europcea^) 

 requires to be frequently cut, or eaten down to keep 

 it alive. The alder is short-lived, but may be repro- 

 duced successionally for ages. 



In concluding this section on forest-tree pruning, 

 we may add, that in all cases where large branches, 

 from some accident, require to be cut closely oif, the 

 wound should be covered with some kind of plaster, 

 such as grafting clay, or, what is better, a composition 

 of three parts cow-dung and one part sifted lime. 

 This spread on about half an inch thick, and after- 

 wards dusted with lime to prevent its being washed 

 off by rain, will be found useful, not so much for pre- 

 serving the naked wood, as for accelerating the expan- 

 sion of the vital envelope, which, as has been observed 

 before, extends itself much faster in darkness, than 

 when exposed to light and dry air. 



Underwood Pruning. Besides timber trees, wood- 

 land consists of underwood also, which is felled 

 periodically. The most profitable trees for this pur- 

 pose are Spanish chestnut, ash, Huntingdon, and 

 other willows ; but oak, alder, birch, and hazel, are 

 also serviceable. Beech and hornbeam are also grown 

 in this way, chiefly for the charcoal manufacturers. 



But who would think of pruning underwood ? a 



